Happy Lao New Year!

April 14, 15 and 16 is Bi Mai Lao, or Lao New Year. This is the biggest holiday in Laos. We don't have school next week. And the parties have already started! There is lots of water throwing to represent washing away of the bad things and also a blessing for good luck, good health, a good boyfriend, a lot of money, a good... for the next year. There are also many bacis or ceremonies for Buddha. And lots of drinking beer. Every year, many people are killed from drinking and driving. But it is a fun time of parties with students and friends!

On Thursday, I had 3 parties for my different classes. Today we decided to throw a party for our neighbor kids. We've accumulated a few more kids over the last week. :) The water blessing turned into a water fight pretty quickly, which we were planning on. And it sure felt good cuz it's been hot this week!

 We bought some buckets and water guns for our party.

 They also like to add flour or baby powder for an extra blessing. They look pretty blessed!

 At a party that Julia's students had. Lots of water!

 More water throwing.

 Sorry these aren't in order. This is at our neighborhood party. They started using the hose.

 This was a party for my students from last semester. Also lots of fawning of Lao dancing. Which is walking very slowly in a circle and moving your hands in beautiful, fancy circles. My hands are not beautiful when I fawn. : (

Some students came over to my house to cook dinner. They came over last week Thursday for a movie, and they asked to come again this week. Eating some yummy food on our floor. Good thing we just bought more dishes... but we still didn't have enough silverware... good thing they can use chopsticks.

We think we're going to Khammuane tomorrow, which is a province 6 or 8 hours south by bus. I just realized that sounds kinda weird, that we don't know for sure if we're going on a significant trip tomorrow... but this is Laos! We'll probably stay until Monday. Julia has a student who lives in Khammuane, so we'll stay at her house and see a cave maybe? After Monday, I think I'll go to Vieng Phone's house again. And go to a few more parties. : ) But it is really a fun time to spend with friends and students!